The BULL'S EYE

Recently we were fortunate to enter into a partnership with Towson University that will provide a range of opportunities for our students. Today, we announced that all students who have had perfect attendance in both August and September are rewarded with two free tickets to Hereford Middle School Day at an upcoming Towson football game against Villanova on November 8th. Parents of students with perfect attendance received an email today that contained a link to obtain 2 free tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased at a discount. This reward is in addition to the limited edition, custom Bull stickers that will be distributed next week.

We hope that you will join us for Hereford Middle School Day at Towson football game, where our teachers will be recognized for all that do for our students. Our Educators Rising student group will also be honored for their work to obtain the Little Free Library which was recently installed in front of our school. All Educators Rising club members have received a link to reserve two free tickets as well. We look forward to seeing our students, families and teachers at this community event!

We hope that you can join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for our Little Free Library on October 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM. We've invited a number of special guests to join us as we will celebrate our love for reading and this addition to Hereford Middle School. You'll find the invitation for this event below.

Next week, we'll celebrate National Bullying Prevention Month. We hope that all members of our school community will join in the fun and wear the color that coincides with the character trait of the day. We'll take photos of our students who participate during each lunch period, each day. At Hereford Middle School, we belong!

Lastly, please see two important opt out notices below for Health units and for use of Google services on school devices. If you have questions, please contact the staff members listed.

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Moore-German

Principal

Last weekend, Mrs. Wagaman was recognized as a Game Changer at the Atlas Cup, held at USA Lacrosse. If you weren't able to attend, please see the highlights below from the event. We're proud and appreciative of the work that Mrs. Wagaman does to make this year the best school year yet for our 6th graders.

School pictures will be taken Monday, October 6, 2025, or Tuesday, October 7, 2025, during each student’s Social Studies class.

• B-Day Social Studies classes → Pictures on Monday, October 6

• A-Day Social Studies classes → Pictures on Tuesday, October 7

Make-up Picture Day is currently scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025.

Thank you for your support in helping us make Picture Day run smoothly!

Hereford Middle School is excited to announce that Career Day will be held on Thursday, November 21st! This special event gives our students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of professions, hear real-world experiences, and begin thinking about their own future goals.

We are currently seeking guest speakers to join us as presenters. Speakers will share their career journey, insights, and advice with our middle school students in classroom sessions. It’s a wonderful way to inspire the next generation and help them see the many possibilities ahead!.

If you are interested in being a presenter, please let us know by completing this interest form: https://forms.office.com/r/i6J6cARXUk

Thank you for supporting our students—we can’t wait to make Career Day a meaningful and memorable experience!

We are so excited to share another celebration of student success!

526 students achieved perfect attendance in August & September—a remarkable accomplishment that demonstrates dedication, responsibility, and a strong start to the school year.

In recognition of this achievement, each student who reached this milestone has earned 2 free tickets to the Towson vs. Villanova football game on Saturday, November 8th. 🏟️🐂 An email will be sent directly to the parent/guardian including a link to obtain the tickets.

Thank you for supporting your child in making attendance a priority—we are so proud of their hard work and consistency!

Wear a Color for Character to celebrate BCPS Anti-Bullying Week the week of October 6th - Oct 10th

A color for students and staff to wear each day of the week has been suggested to represent character traits that all people should demonstrate. You are encouraged to share photos on social media using #BCPSCares.

Fundraising packets were distributed to students on Monday, September 29, 2025. You may click on the link or scan the QR code to begin shopping online. All funds raised go directly to support our students. All items are ordered online and ships direct to the customer. This fundraiser will end on October 31, 2025. Thank you for your continued support!

www.registercw.com

Today, we celebrated with this week's recipients of The Hereford Way pencils! Of those who received pencils for being respectful, responsible and kind, one student in each grade level was selected for a special prize. Our winners are:

Please remind students to check the current lost and found! (photo as of 10/3/25)

Please see the photos from our recent Monday Advisory Clubs. Please see our list of requests for club supplies in this newsletter. Thank you to all who have already contributed!

Mind Over Matters (MOM) is an ongoing initiative designed to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness among students and staff at Baltimore County Public Schools. This year’s campaign is organized around themes aligned with the 5 Social Emotional Learning CASEL Competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The theme for September and October is Self-Awareness. Our SEL lessons that are taught through Advisory are aligned with the Mind Over Matters campaign.

A recent change to Google’s License Agreement requires Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) to gain parent permission for students to access certain Google Additional Services, including YouTube, Google Earth, Google Maps, Google News, and Google Translate.

The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) has created a parent-facing form in Focus to allow parents to opt out of these services. The form offers two opt outs, one for YouTube (this is only applicable for Grades 6-12 as YouTube is blocked at the elementary school) and the other for the remaining services as a group. If a parent opts out of one or all of these services, the student will lose access to them automatically. A student’s access to these tools will follow them throughout their BCPS school career.

Questions can be directed to our Tech Team: Mr. Thomas tthomas@bcps.org and Mr. Putnam cputnam@bcps.org.

Below are some important resources to promote a positive relationship with media in your home.

• AAP Family Media Plan (interactive): AAP Media Plan https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx

• APA Health Advisory on Adolescent Social Media Use https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

• Common Sense: Family tech agreement templates: Family Tech Planners | https://www.commonsensemedia.org/family-tech-planners

There are just two more school days to attend before qualifying for the Bull Sticker! Stickers will be distributed in homeroom late next week. Certificates for perfect attendance will be awarded quarterly at the Bull Bash.

Presented by Maryland FFA, Nationwide, and Maryland Farm Bureau, the Golden Owl Award aims to recognize outstanding agricultural educators across Maryland through their work in guiding and empowering the next generation of agriculturists. Students, fellow teachers and other supporters can nominate their favorite agricultural teacher and summarize what makes him or her the best in the state. Nominees have an opportunity to win the title of Maryland Agricultural Educator of the Year and great cash prizes for their school’s ag program. Nominations are due October 31st, 2025.

Please note that the nominations will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Teacher’s dedication to agriculture education

2. Teacher’s commitment to his/her student(s)

3. Teacher’s impact on his/her student(s)

4. Teacher’s impact on their local community

The 6th grade enjoyed a beautiful day at the corn maize! Thank you to all our parent chaperones that joined us!

- Oct 14th – Officer Joe Dugan Assembly (Internet Safety) provided by the PTA

- Oct 16th – Grade Level Class Spirit Day - Wear your Class of '32 shirt

Please remind your students to turn in their field trip forms to their 1A teacher along with $15 cash or check. If you'd like to be a chaperone, please return the chaperone agreement form and complete the volunteer application in order to be considered.

See the following for more information:

https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/face/b_c_p_s_volunteers

We have received many pink chaperone forms but cannot accept you until the online training has been completed and submitted for Hereford Middle School. Thank you!

The 8th grade is excited to welcome Justin Berk (Just In Weather) to HMS on Tuesday, November 25th. He will be here to hold a STEM assembly about Winter Weather. Prior to our assembly, we will be selling shirts as a fundraiser. They are the perfect item to help us hopefully get some "Hereford Zone" snow days this year. Please use the link provided to purchase a shirt. When purchasing, please note your student's 1A class for easier distribution. The store closes on October 28th. The Hereford Zone has "Faith in the Flakes".

Products - FITF The Hereford Zone - Maryland Print House

Tee shirt sales are open to all students, families, staff and members of the community!

🩺 Health Reminders from the Nurse’s Office

School is now in full swing and we want to remind families to help us keep our school community healthy and safe. Here are a few important health guidelines to follow:

🤒 Not Feeling Well? Please Keep Your Child Home If your child wakes up feeling unwell, please check their temperature before giving any medication. If they have a fever of 100°F or higher, diarrhea, or vomiting, they should stay home until symptoms have resolved for at least 24 hours without medication.

🌼 Allergy Season Is Here Seasonal allergies are already affecting many students. If your child suffers from allergies, please make sure they take their allergy medication at home before coming to school. This helps them stay comfortable and focused throughout the day.

💉 Flu Season Is Approaching The flu can spread quickly in school settings. We strongly encourage families to consider getting their child a flu shot to help protect them and others.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students healthy and learning!

Warm regards,
Nurse Starling (kstarling@bcps.org, 443-809-6868)
School Nurse

Did You Know that every BCPS student already has a Baltimore County Public Library Student Account? These accounts work exactly like a library card! Students can borrow materials and access homework help, digital resources, and online databases using their student login information. And yes—a student can have both a Student Account and a regular library card!

Both school and public libraries help students and families succeed. Research from the American Library Association shows that students who regularly use libraries perform better in reading and writing. Plus, schools with strong library programs report higher achievement. Libraries provide access to books, technology, and programs that spark curiosity, build learning habits, and support growth for children and adults alike. Libraries are powerful resource for academic and lifelong success.

Our newest edition to our HMS Ag program is an 8 week old English Lop bunny and she needs a name. Donate $1 to vote for her name! Proceeds benefit the Hereford Middle School FFA end of year awards and projects. Place your donation form and money in the buckets at the front door during homeroom or deliver them to Mrs. Raulerson in E-13. See the attached flyer for name options.

We are working with Hereford High School to provide a list of students who are willing to do math tutoring in the evenings and weekends. Please reach out to Ms. Purpura at apurpura2@bcps.org if you are interested in getting names for high school student math tutors.

In the upcoming two weeks, students in Algebra I and Geometry courses will take content specific STAR assessments now that all students have completed their grade-level assessment.

Students in Mrs. George's 8th grade ELA class are participating in Socratic Seminars to discuss The Outsiders. Students created their own questions to dig deeper into the novel and asked each other their higher level questions.

Students in 8th grade media arts have started their instructional design water bottle project. Pictured below they are using the program Sketchpad to collaboratively work.

Students in Maestra Peña’s learned about Mexican culture and made fans to celebrate!

Forgot your donation? It's not too late! Donate Today!

Donate to the HMS PTA HERE

Sign Up to Sell Tickets to Fall Fest! 6 Parents Needed Oct. 9 & 10:

Fall Fest Ticket Sales Volunteer Signup

Sign Up to Donate Needed Items to HMS In-School Clubs:

Donate to Student Clubs HERE

Sign Up to Volunteer at Lunch:

Sign Up For Lunch Helpers HERE

Sign Up to Donate to Halloween Staff Treat Day:

Sign Up for Halloween Treats HERE

Reflections National PTA Art Program Returns to HMS! Students are able to explore their creativity, exhibit their work in a schoolwide exposition, and be recognized for their artistic talents. See flyer sent home with your student or email reflections.hmspta@gmail.com for more information. Learn how your student can craft their entry here: Reflections Official Website

Join us on Tuesday, October 7th, from 4–8 PM for PTA Spirit Night at the Chipotle in Hunt Valley! 25% of all sales will be donated to our PTA.

• In-person orders: Show the event flyer at checkout. CLICK HERE: Chipotle flyer.pdf
• Online orders: Use code 9ANEDQD to make sure your purchase counts toward our total.

Thank you for supporting our PTA!

The BCPS Department of Special Education invites stakeholders to participate in a brief survey to help prioritize focus areas for the BCPS Special Education Staffing Plan for the 2026-2027 school year. This survey is available through December 1, 2025.

This information should be shared with all stakeholders. Please place it in your front office and share in your parent and community communications.

The Special Education Focus Area Survey link should be copied into your school and community communications, or you can print the QR code flyer for dissemination.

Staffing Plan Feedback Flyer

Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):

Jason Karolkowski, Sr. Project Specialist jkarolkowski@bcps.org

Parents and caregivers can register online for free virtual workshops offered by the BCPS Department of Special Education.

Wednesday, October 8, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"Considering an FBA: How to Partner with Your Child's School to Build a Behavior Intervention Plan"

Wednesday, October 8, from 6-7 p.m. "Potty Training"

Thursday, October 16, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"LRE: Inclusive Practices for Students with Significant and Complex Instructional Needs"

Please use the following link for the month of October:

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/October-News---Resources.html?soid=1139260511191&aid=cxF4mwBVdVE

Have you attended a recent IEP team at HMS? Leave us feedback!

The Baltimore County Public Schools Department of Special

Education is committed to providing high-quality support to

our students, families, and schools.

As part of this effort, we would like to ask parents and

guardians to complete a brief Parent Satisfaction Survey at the

conclusion of each IEP meeting.

Your feedback is essential—it helps us understand how well we

are supporting your child’s educational journey and guides us

in making improvements to our services. All responses

are confidential and will be used to inform future support

provided to schools.

https://survey.k12insight.com/survey/form?k=SsTUYQXsTUPsPsPsP&lang=0

All students at HMS/BCPS will receive one quarter of Health during the school year. During this course, families have the option to opt their student out of 3-4 lessons about Family Life and Human Sexuality, in the Changes and Me unit. Please review the appropriate letter for your child’s grade. This letter provides you with the scope and sequence of the lessons in that unit. If you wish to opt your child out of these lessons, you must complete the form on FOCUS or return the paper portion to your student’s Health teacher. Please reach out to knawrocki@bcps.org with any further questions. This form must be completed by 9/26 for Quarter 1 Health students. The forms will come out each quarter, as students have Health class at different times throughout the year.

October 6-7, 2025 Fall Picture Days

October 17, 2025 School Closed for Students

October 20, 2025 Schools Closed for Students

October 31, 2025 First Marking Period Ends and Schools Close 2 Hours Early

November 17-21, 2025 American Education Week

November 21, 2025 Career Day

Please see the link below for the 2025-26 BCPS School Calendar, the A/B Day Calendar and the printable wall calendar for your convenience.

To learn more about what BCPS Parent University offers:

· Visit the website.

· Watch the latest "Parent University Show."

· Listen to the "In the Know" podcast.

· Register for a free virtual workshop.

· Stop by the Parentmobile at events across the county.

Sign up for the FACEtime newsletter.

Please consider volunteering for a single day to provide our student with the opportunity to enjoy time outside (weather permitting). Volunteers must complete the application and earn a training certificate prior to volunteering in BCPS schools. We can't provide this opportunity without your help! Link at the bottom.

For the safety of our students, please follow the updated parking and drop-off procedures for games and events at the stadium.

Parents are no longer permitted to drive up the stadium driveway to drop students off. Instead, please use the Student Lot near the tennis courts for drop-off. Students can then walk up the sidewalk to the stadium.

We have received reports of parents stopping on York Road—sometimes in the middle of the road—to let students out. This creates a serious safety risk and is not permitted.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep all students safe. Please review the attached parking plan for full details.

Principal

Hereford Middle School

712 Corbett Road, Monkton, MD 21111

443-809-7902

cmooregerman@bcps.org

Hereford Middle School is committed to providing a safe and supportive community in which students celebrate diversity, demonstrate integrity and develop mutual respect and responsibility in order to pursue academic excellence.

Hereford Middle School empowers every learner, every day through rigorous, diverse, educational experiences to become productive global citizens.